Pioneer Work: Manfred Mohr
The early algorithmic Scratch Code works.
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virtual exhibit
Summer 2014 / May 2026
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Manfred Mohr taught himself how to write programs at the end of the 1960s. He had an artistic education and lived as a painter and jazz musician in Paris at that time.
Influenced by Max Bense, Mohr was searching the rationality in art when he discovered the computer as an artistic tool. In 1969, he created his first computer-generated work and has been working with the computer ever since.
The 2014 virtual exhibit »Pioneer Work: Manfred Mohr« presented some of the artist´s early algorithmic experiments, as well as graphics from other periods. This shortened version will focus on his 1976 Scratch Code portfolio.
Scratch Code
In 1976 Mohr published »Scratch Code«, a portfolio of eight serigraphs printed after algorithmic works generated between 1970 and 1975.
It is a fascinating compilation of his early algorithmic works: His computer-generated motifs resemble cryptic writings – not of ancient but of future civilizations. A symbolic cipher, a code pointing to the coming digital age. The work of a true Computer Art pioneer!
Manfred Mohr: P-21 (Band-Structure), 1976, serigraph after plotter drawing generated in 1970.
Manfred Mohr: scratch code. 1970-1975.
The motifs in this portfolio are: P-021 band-structure (1970), P-036 white noise (1970), P-049 a formal language (1970), P-122 scratch code (1972), P-142 negative field syntax (1973), P-148 Inschrift (inscription) (1973), P-155 (cubic limit) (1974), P-176 (1975)
Manfred Mohr: scratch code. 1970-1975.
Details of the motifs: P-021 band-structure (1970), P-036 white noise (1970), P-049 a formal language (1970), P-122 scratch code (1972), P-142 negative field syntax (1973), P-148 Inschrift (inscription) (1973), P-155 (cubic limit) (1974), P-176 (1975)
The original cardboard sleeve by éditions média of Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Une esthétique programmée
Manfred Mohr was the first computer artist to bring computer-generated art to a museum: In 1971 he had a solo exhibition at the A-R-C Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris: Computer Graphics »Une esthétique programmée«, running from 11. May - 6. June 1971.
The catalogue is accessible via the artist's website.
The catalogue »Computer Graphics. Une esthétique programmée« of the exhibition at the A-R-C Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, 11. May - 6. June 1971.
Artist's Profile
Manfred Mohr
Born 1939 in Pforzheim, Germany, the passionate jazz musician (Tenor-Sax, Oboe) lives in New York.
An overview of the different work stages of the artist as well as a detailed biography and writings can be found on his website www.emohr.com.
There are also interesting films on his YouTube channel: Manfred Mohr.
This is an edited and shortened version of the virtual exhibit first presented in 2014.